BC Business
We assess how different people/things and, of course, businesses fared this week.
Tantalus Labs CEO Dan Sutton always seems to be ahead of the game.
As much as we try to keep this feature B.C.-focused, there was something outside the province this week that we just couldn’t ignore.
You’ll just have to read on. And on and on, because you better believe it’s coming at the end.
From cannabis coups to artistic disasters, here’s what made the grade this week (and what didn’t).
Zero emission vehicles
Grade: A
It was a big week for governments flexing their muscles on carbon (more on that later). But perhaps no one came out of with a rosier picture than these babies.
According to the CBC, B.C.’s Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, passed earlier this week, sets a target of 10 percent of all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in B.C. to be zero emission by 2025. By 2040, they’ll all need to be emission free.
It’s a positive step forward for the province; obviously, and something to remember as our skies do their best impression of the Red Wedding this summer.
Tantalus Labs
Grade: A
Always seemingly on the forefront of innovation, Tantalus was the latest cannabis company to cut a deal with another industry. Vancouver-based Tantalus announced the signing of a letter of intent to produce cannabis-infused drinks with the founders of Craft Collective Beerworks and its subsidiary Postmark Brewing.
It’s not the first deal of its kind, though it does appear to be the only one in which both companies are based in B.C. (Vancouver’s Sproutly partnered with Halifax-based Moosehead Breweries, for example.)
But Tantalus founder and CEO Dan Sutton is making a smart move here. The cannabis-infused drinks racket isn’t legal yet, but it’ll no doubt take off when the government finally gets around to it.
Michael Wiebe
Grade: B+
We’re not sure if the Green Party of Vancouver councillor was a one-man force in trying to give Vancouverites Jurassic Park West (i.e., an outdoor space for the public to watch the Toronto Raptors in the NBA playoffs), but at least he was trying.
The city is missing a chance to develop some community here and to get in on the fun. It’s no surprise everyone’s favourite nickname for Vancouver is coming back into vogue.
As for Wiebe, the Greens have showcased something of a puzzling voting record since getting elected in Vancouver, but perhaps his name will carry with it some goodwill from basketball fans in the city.
Vancouver shipping terminals
Grade: B
No one likes a strike. But if you have to have one, shorter versions are much preferred. Kudos to the BC Maritime Employers Association and the union for coming to an agreement shortly after picket lines went up at both the Port of Vancouver and the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
The major sticking point in contract talks had reportedly been the employers’ desire to increase automation at the port. The fact that a stoppage was avoided is obviously good news for the Canadian economy, even if automation may be inevitable.
The Vancouver Art Gallery
Grade: C
So your director suddenly leaves while your organization is in something of a crisis about your proposed new building? There are rumblings around the city about whether or not the new VAG will actually ever be built, and Kathleen Bartels’s departure certainly does nothing to quell them.
The only hope now is funding from the federal government. And while the Liberals will be desperate to buy votes in the run-up to October’s federal election, do they really need them from the left-leaning older folks that will care about the new VAG?
Trudeau and company are probably more likely to spend cash on, I dunno, free avocado toast for millennials?
Vancouver cannabis stores
Grade: D
While Tantalus employees are likely cheering the company’s good news, other cannabis workers around the city might be best served by purchasing some deadbolt locks.
Things could get icky as the government looks to bring the hammer down on those who are selling (mostly) legal products in a way they deem to be unkempt or something. It doesn’t seem like an act of state terrorism at all
Jason Kenney
Grade: F
On that note, this would be unbelievably unrealistic and completely farcical if it was in a movie.
Can’t make it up. And we’re currently on track to elect a federal Conservative government? Wow.